The Greatest Disgrace in Marine History-Chapter 96: Courage and Conviction

"Absolutely not!!"

With a thunderous slam of his fist on the desk, Admiral Sengoku's voice roared through the Base Commander's office.

"Fleet Admiral Kong, the North Blue Marines are not the private army of Rogers Darren!"

"If we allow this precedent, Marineford will lose its authority as the seat of justice for the world!"

On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Fleet Admiral Kong rubbed his forehead in frustration. Sengoku was sharp—but when it came to questions of power, he tended to get stuck in the mud. At heart, he was a traditional soldier, born to follow orders. On sensitive matters like this, he often lacked... courage.

"Sengoku, tell me this: aside from Darren, who else could accomplish what he has?"

Sengoku fell silent.

Kong gave a faint smile, tinged with bitterness. "I wish there were more like Darren—but there aren't. Not even the ones you've placed your hopes on. Not Sakazuki. Not Borsalino. Not even the brat from the Garp family."

Sengoku muttered, "I never placed any hope in Borsalino..."

Kong chuckled dryly.

Taking a long drag of his cigar, he continued, "That brat Darren... he's excelled far beyond what we anticipated."

Sengoku reluctantly agreed. "His talent is... undeniable."

"It's not just talent," Kong said gravely. "I've reviewed your full report on the operation against Byrnndi World."

"The formation of the North Blue fleet, the way he maneuvered them... everything from troop deployment to interception strategy, even down to the baited armaments—Darren predicted every move. I suspect he'd simulated the entire operation in his head countless times."

"That level of military acumen in someone so young... is a blessing to the Marines."

"Tell me, Sengoku—if it had been Sakazuki, Borsalino, Dragon, or even yourself, would you have handled it so flawlessly?"

Sengoku hesitated. Darren's political savvy, strategic genius, and decisiveness had surpassed all of them.

A total annihilation of the World Pirates with zero casualties.

Even legends like himself, Garp, and Zephyr had failed to capture Byrnndi World in the past. Darren had succeeded.

Kong's voice cut through the silence.

"Now you understand, don't you, Sengoku? Compared to a future admiral with both brains and brawn... what's the North Blue? Let him have it."

"And besides, no matter what rumors say about him, that brat has a line he won't cross. You can see it in the North Blue. Crime has plummeted. Citizens are thriving. Pirates are vanishing. Isn't that the justice we stand for?"

Sengoku frowned. "But Fleet Admiral, all of this stems from his personal ambition—"

"That's irrelevant."

Kong cut him off flatly. "Who in this sea doesn't have ambition?"

"If Darren someday grows strong enough to lead the Marines into war against Whitebeard, Shiki, or Roger himself—then I'll gladly step down and hand him my seat."

His eyes gleamed with steely wisdom.

"You fear that the North Blue will become his private force—but I say our vision must be broader. Our justice must be greater."

"Let me tell you something, Sengoku. I may soon be appointed to a new post in the Holy Land Mary Geoise. The previous Commander-in-Chief has passed."

Sengoku's eyes widened.

"You... you mean—"

"Yes. The seat is vacant. And among you, Zephyr, and Garp... only you have what it takes to inherit this mantle."

"Those in high command must possess not just strength, but vision. If Darren continues to hunt pirates, to uphold Marine orders, and to wear the cloak of justice... then he is one of us."

"Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Sengoku was struck silent. Kong's words crashed down like a tidal wave.

At last, he raised his head and replied calmly, "I understand, Fleet Admiral."

Kong smiled.

"Then... have you decided what the official statement will say?"

Sengoku nodded.

"Rogers Darren, Supreme Commander of the North Blue, has, in the name of justice, successfully eliminated the World Pirates and their captain—Byrnndi World, the so-called 'World Destroyer'"

Laughter, loud and triumphant, echoed through Fleet Admiral Kong's office in Marineford.

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To be continued...